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High temperature ultrasonic probe and pulse-echo probe mounting fixture for testing and blind alignment on steam pipes

a technology of ultrasonic probes and mounting fixtures, applied in the field of ultrasonic measurements, can solve problems such as serious consequences, steam pipe system failures, and steam pipe system accidents, and achieve the effect of reducing the duration of ringing

Active Publication Date: 2017-03-07
CALIFORNIA INST OF TECH
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]In still another embodiment, the backing is configured to reduce the duration of a ringing in the piezoelectric probe element.

Problems solved by technology

Water condensation in steam pipes can lead to potential accidents and system failures in a steam pipe system.
One of the concerns to such a system is the excitation of water hammer that may lead to serious consequences including damaged vents, traps, regulators and piping.
The fast flowing steam over the condensed water causes ripples in the water creating buildup of turbulence and resulting in the water formation of a solid mass or slug that fills the pipe.

Method used

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  • High temperature ultrasonic probe and pulse-echo probe mounting fixture for testing and blind alignment on steam pipes
  • High temperature ultrasonic probe and pulse-echo probe mounting fixture for testing and blind alignment on steam pipes
  • High temperature ultrasonic probe and pulse-echo probe mounting fixture for testing and blind alignment on steam pipes

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Embodiment Construction

[0053]The problem that was addressed is the need to prevent failures in aging steam pipe systems found in many places. An effective in-service health monitoring system is needed to track water condensation in real-time through the wall of the steam pipes. The system is required to measure the height of the condensed water from outside the pipe while operating at temperatures that are as high as 250° C. The system needs to account for the effects of water flow and cavitation. In addition, it is desired that the system does not require perforating the pipes and thereby reducing the structural integrity.

[0054]We describe an alignment fixture that allows for the blind alignment of ultrasonic pulse-echo probes for mounting on pipes. The strap with a mounted probe is used to conduct health monitoring of steam pipes and track the height of condensed water through the wall in real-time.

[0055]The novel features of this disclosure are believed to include a novel mounting fixture design that a...

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Abstract

A high temperature ultrasonic probe and a mounting fixture for attaching and aligning the probe to a steam pipe using blind alignment. The high temperature ultrasonic probe includes a piezoelectric transducer having a high temperature. The probe provides both transmitting and receiving functionality. The mounting fixture allows the high temperature ultrasonic probe to be accurately aligned to the bottom external surface of the steam pipe so that the presence of liquid water in the steam pipe can be monitored. The mounting fixture with a mounted high temperature ultrasonic probe are used to conduct health monitoring of steam pipes and to track the height of condensed water through the wall in real-time.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 815,110, filed Apr. 23, 2013, and priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 815,191, filed Apr. 23, 2013, each of which applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]The invention described herein was made in the performance of work under a NASA contract, and is subject to the provisions of Public Law 96-517 (35 USC 202) in which the Contractor has elected to retain title.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The invention relates to ultrasonic measurements in general and particularly to systems and methods that provide ultrasonic measurements on pipes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]Water condensation in steam pipes can lead to potential accidents and system failures in a steam pipe system.[0005]One of the concerns to such a ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H01L41/08B06B1/02B06B1/06B06B3/00
CPCB06B1/0644B06B1/0215B06B3/00H10N30/88G01F23/2962G01N29/223G01N29/228G01N29/2437G01N2291/011G01N2291/044G01N2291/101
Inventor BAR-COHEN, YOSEPHBADESCU, MIRCEALIH, SHYH-SHIUHSHERRIT, STEWARTTAKANO, NOBUYUKIOSTLUND, PATRICK N.LEE, HYEONG JAEBAO, XIAOQI
Owner CALIFORNIA INST OF TECH